Talk with your health care providers about which treatment guidelines they use. Since there’s often a lag time between the latest research and guideline updates, most providers prefer to base their treatment on the latest research.

SUSAN G. KOMEN® SUPPORT RESOURCES

Our Breast Care Helpline 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) provides free, professional support services to anyone with breast cancer questions or concerns, including people diagnosed with breast cancer and their families. Calls are answered by a trained and caring staff member Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET and from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PT. You can also email the helpline at helpline@komen.org.

Komen Affiliates offer breast health education as well as fund breast cancer programs through local community organizations. Your local Affiliate may also help you find breast cancer resources in your area. Find your local Affiliate.

Medications taken by mouth (oral), such as lapatinib, are usually covered under a health insurance plan’s prescription drug benefit rather than the plan’s medical benefit.

As a result, people often find themselves facing high out-of-pocket costs when filling their prescriptions for oral cancer drugs (sometimes costing thousands of dollars per month).

High prescription drug costs are a barrier to care. They can prevent people from getting the medications prescribed by their health care provider.

Komen supports state and federal efforts to require insurers to provide the same or better coverage for oral breast cancer medications as they do for medications taken by vein (through an IV), such as trastuzumab and pertuzumab. This would help ensure patients have access to affordable, appropriate treatment.